Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 84
  • Item
    Analytical and numerical results for the elasticity and adhesion of elastic films with arbitrary Poisson’s ratio and confinement
    (London [u.a.] : Taylor & Francis, 2022) Müller, Christian; Müser, Martin H.
    We present an approximate, analytical treatment for the linearly elastic response of a film with arbitrary Poisson's ratio (Formula presented.), which is indented by a flat cylindrical punch while resting on a rigid foundation. Our approach is based on a simple scaling argument allowing the vast changes of the elastomer’s effective modulus (Formula presented.) with the ratio of film height (Formula presented.) and indenter radius (Formula presented.) to be described with a compact, analytical expression. This yields exact asymptotics for large and small reduced film heights (Formula presented.), whereby it also reproduces the observation that (Formula presented.) has a pronounced minimum for (Formula presented.) at (Formula presented.). Using Green’s function molecular dynamics (GFMD), we demonstrate that the predictions for (Formula presented.) are reasonably correct and generate accurate reference data for effective modulus and pull-off force. GFMD also reveals that the nature of surface instabilities occurring during stable crack growth as well as the crack initiation itself depend sensitively on the way how continuum mechanics is terminated at small scales, that is, on parameters beyond the two dimensionless numbers (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.) defining the continuum problem.
  • Item
    Direction specific adhesion induced by subsurface liquid filled microchannels
    (Cambridge : Royal Society of Chemistry, 2012) Majumder, Abhijit; Mondal, Subrata; Tiwari, Anurag Kumar; Ghatak, Animangsu; Sharma, Ashutosh
    While directional effects in adhesion and locomotion have in general been generated by creating symmetry breaking topographic features on the surface of a soft bodied object, here we present a novel method for imparting this effect to thin adhesive layers by embedding liquid filled microchannels arranged in pairs with specific intra and inter pair distances. The adhesive exhibits uniform adhesion in classical peel tests when both the channels are filled with either air or a wetting liquid. But the asymmetric effect shows up when only one of the channels in the pair is filled with the liquid. The liquid alters the surface tension of the inner wall of the channel, which results in bulging deformation of the thin skin of the adhesive over the channel. The bulging however remains asymmetric, the extent of asymmetry depending on the intra-pair spacing between the channels. Besides the bulging effect, filling in one channel of a pair with liquid also leads to an asymmetric variation in its modulus. As a result, when an adherent is peeled off the adhesive from two opposite directions, significantly different adhesion strengths result. A similar directional effect also results when channels of two different diameters are used in the pair, thus opening up the possibility of generating several different adhesion strengths simply by altering the geometric features of the embedded microstructure and its filling status. We show also that for both channels in a pair filled with liquid, the adhesion strength increases significantly, by over 60 times of what is achieved for a smooth, featureless, adhesive layer.
  • Item
    Revealing the co-action of viscous and multistability hysteresis in an adhesive, nominally flat punch: A combined numerical and experimental study
    ([Erscheinungsort nicht ermittelbar] : arXiv, 2022) Christian Müller, Manar Samri, René Hensel, Eduard Arzt, Martin H. Müser
    Viscoelasticity is well known to cause a significant hysteresis of crack closure and opening when an elastomer is brought in and out of contact with a flat, rigid counterface. In contrast, the idea that adhesive hysteresis can also result under quasi-static driving due to small-scale, elastic multistability is relatively new. Here, we study a system in which both mechanisms act concurrently. Specifically, we compare the simulated and experimentally measured time evolution of the interfacial force and the real contact area between a soft elastomer and a rigid, flat punch, to which small-scale, single-sinusoidal roughness is added. To this end, we further the Green's function molecular dynamics method and extend recently developed imaging techniques to elucidate the rate- and preload-dependence of the pull-off process. Our results reveal that hysteresis is much enhanced when the saddle points of the topography come into contact, which, however, is impeded by viscoelastic forces and may require sufficiently large preloads. A similar coaction of viscous- and multistability effects is expected to occur in macroscopic polymer contacts and be relevant, e.g., for pressure-sensitive adhesives and modern adhesive gripping devices.
  • Item
    Quantitative multichannel NC-AFM data analysis of graphene growth on SiC(0001)
    (Frankfurt am Main : Beilstein-Institut, 2012) Held, Christian; Seyller, Thomas; Bennewitz, Roland
    Noncontact atomic force microscopy provides access to several complementary signals, such as topography, damping, and contact potential. The traditional presentation of such data sets in adjacent figures or in colour-coded pseudo-three-dimensional plots gives only a qualitative impression. We introduce two-dimensional histograms for the representation of multichannel NC-AFM data sets in a quantitative fashion. Presentation and analysis are exemplified for topography and contact-potential data for graphene grown epitaxially on 6H-SiC(0001), as recorded by Kelvin probe force microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum. Sample preparations by thermal decomposition in ultrahigh vacuum and in an argon atmosphere are compared and the respective growth mechanisms discussed.
  • Item
    Bright fluorescent silica-nanoparticle probes for high-resolution STED and confocal microscopy
    (Frankfurt am Main : Beilstein-Institut, 2017) Tavernaro, Isabella; Cavelius, Christian; Peuschel, Henrike; Kraegeloh, Annette
    In recent years, fluorescent nanomaterials have gained high relevance in biological applications as probes for various fluorescencebased spectroscopy and imaging techniques. Among these materials, dye-doped silica nanoparticles have demonstrated a high potential to overcome the limitations presented by conventional organic dyes such as high photobleaching, low stability and limited fluorescence intensity. In the present work we describe an effective approach for the preparation of fluorescent silica nanoparticles in the size range between 15 and 80 nm based on L-arginine-controlled hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane in a biphasic cyclohexane–water system. Commercially available far-red fluorescent dyes (Atto647N, Abberior STAR 635, Dy-647, Dy-648 and Dy-649) were embedded covalently into the particle matrix, which was achieved by aminosilane coupling. The physical particle attributes (particle size, dispersion, degree of agglomeration and stability) and the fluorescence properties of the obtained particles were compared to particles from commonly known synthesis methods. As a result, the spectroscopic characteristics of the presented monodisperse dye-doped silica nanoparticles were similar to those of the free uncoupled dyes, but indicate a much higher photostability and brightness. As revealed by dynamic light scattering and ζ-potential measurements, all particle suspensions were stable in water and cell culture medium. In addition, uptake studies on A549 cells were performed, using confocal and stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy. Our approach allows for a step-by-step formation of dye-doped silica nanoparticles in the form of dye-incorporated spheres, which can be used as versatile fluorescent probes in confocal and STED imaging.
  • Item
    In situ measurements with CPC micro-actuators using SEM
    (Bellingham : SPIE, 2014) Kaasik, Friedrich; Must, Indrek; Lust, Enn; Jürgens, Meelis; Presser, Volker; Punning, Andres; Temmer, Rauno; Kiefer, Rudolf; Aabloo, Alvo
    Comparative measurements of carbon-polymer composite micro-actuators based on room temperature ionic liquid electrolyte were carried out in situ (1) in vacuum using a state-of-the-art scanning electron microscope, (2) in an oxygen-free atmosphere under ambient pressure, and (3) under ambient environment. The fabricated micro-actuators sustained their actuation performance in all three environments, revealing important implications regarding their humidity-dependence. SEM observations demonstrate high stroke actuation of a device with submillimeter length, which is the typical size range of actuators desirable for medical or lab-on-chip applications.
  • Item
    Engineering Micropatterned Dry Adhesives: From Contact Theory to Handling Applications
    (Weinheim : Wiley-VCH, 2018) Hensel, René; Moh, Karsten; Arzt, Eduard
    Reversible adhesion is the key functionality to grip, place, and release objects nondestructively. Inspired by nature, micropatterned dry adhesives are promising candidates for this purpose and have attracted the attention of research groups worldwide. Their enhanced adhesion compared to nonpatterned surfaces is frequently demonstrated. An important conclusion is that the contact mechanics involved is at least as important as the surface energy and chemistry. In this paper, the roles of the contact geometry and mechanical properties are reviewed. With a focus on applications, the effects of substrate roughness and of temperature variations, and the long-term performance of micropatterned adhesives are discussed. The paper provides a link between the current, detailed understanding of micropatterned adhesives and emerging applications.
  • Item
    Temperature-dependent size effects on the strength of Ta and W micropillars
    (Amsterdam : Elsevier, 2016) Torrents Abad, Oscar; Wheeler, Jeffrey M.; Michler, Johann; Schneider, Andreas S.; Arzt, Eduard
    The strength of metals increases with decreasing sample size, a trend known as the size effect. In particular, focused ion beam-milled body-centered cubic (BCC) micropillars exhibit a size effect known to scale with the ratio of the test temperature to the critical temperature (Tc) of the BCC metal, a measure of how much the yield stress is governed by the lattice resistance. In this paper, this effect is systematically studied by performing high-temperature compression tests on focused ion beam-manufactured Ta and W single crystal pillars ranging in diameter from 500 nm to 5 μm at temperatures up to 400 °C, and discussed in the context of bulk strength and size dependent stresses. Both metals show larger size effects at higher temperatures, reaching values that are in the range of FCC metals at temperatures near Tc. However, it is demonstrated that size effects can be considerably affected by material parameters such as dislocation density and lattice friction, as well as by the yield criterion used. Furthermore, for W, a change from uniform wavy deformation to localized deformation is observed with increasing temperature and pillar size, further indicating that the temperature ratio strongly influences the relative motion of screw and edge dislocations.
  • Item
    Lighting the Path: Light Delivery Strategies to Activate Photoresponsive Biomaterials In Vivo
    (Weinheim : Wiley-VCH, 2021) Pearson, Samuel; Feng, Jun; del Campo, Aránzazu
    Photoresponsive biomaterials are experiencing a transition from in vitro models to in vivo demonstrations that point toward clinical translation. Dynamic hydrogels for cell encapsulation, light-responsive carriers for controlled drug delivery, and nanomaterials containing photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy are relevant examples. Nonetheless, the step to the clinic largely depends on their combination with technologies to bring light into the body. This review highlights the challenge of photoactivation in vivo, and presents strategies for light management that can be adopted for this purpose. The authors’ focus is on technologies that are materials-driven, particularly upconversion nanoparticles that assist in “direct path” light delivery through tissue, and optical waveguides that “clear the path” between external light source and in vivo target. The authors’ intention is to assist the photoresponsive biomaterials community transition toward medical technologies by presenting light delivery concepts that can be integrated with the photoresponsive targets. The authors also aim to stimulate further innovation in materials-based light delivery platforms by highlighting needs and opportunities for in vivo photoactivation of biomaterials. © 2021 The Authors. Advanced Functional Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.
  • Item
    Switchable adhesion in vacuum using bio-inspired dry adhesives
    (Washington D.C. : American Chemical Society, 2015) Purtov, Julia; Frensemeier, Mareike; Kroner, Elmar
    Suction based attachment systems for pick and place handling of fragile objects like glass plates or optical lenses are energy-consuming and noisy and fail at reduced air pressure, which is essential, e.g., in chemical and physical vapor deposition processes. Recently, an alternative approach toward reversible adhesion of sensitive objects based on bioinspired dry adhesive structures has emerged. There, the switching in adhesion is achieved by a reversible buckling of adhesive pillar structures. In this study, we demonstrate that these adhesives are capable of switching adhesion not only in ambient air conditions but also in vacuum. Our bioinspired patterned adhesive with an area of 1 cm2 provided an adhesion force of 2.6 N ± 0.2 N in air, which was reduced to 1.9 N ± 0.2 N if measured in vacuum. Detachment was induced by buckling of the structures due to a high compressive preload and occurred, independent of air pressure, at approximately 0.9 N ± 0.1 N. The switch in adhesion was observed at a compressive preload between 5.6 and 6.0 N and was independent of air pressure. The difference between maximum adhesion force and adhesion force after buckling gives a reasonable window of operation for pick and place processes. High reversibility of the switching behavior is shown over 50 cycles in air and in vacuum, making the bioinspired switchable adhesive applicable for handling operations of fragile objects.